Category Archives: Plays

Main Stage, Past Auditions

Audition Notice: The Odd Couple

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for West Allis Players’ production of:
The Odd Couple
by Neil Simon; Directed by: Ralph Frattua

Audition Dates:
August 12 & 13, 6:30 pm
Liberace Auditorium
West Milwaukee Intermediate School
51st and Greenfield
(Take National Ave. east to 52nd Street. Turn right. Parking lot is on the left a few hundred feed down 52nd Street. Enter doors and follow building signage to the Auditorium.)

Looking for 8 actors. 6m/2f

We are looking for energetic actors who want to have fun while delving into classic characters and honing their craft. Hope to see you there! Preregistration is not needed! Photos may be taken during auditions.

Auditions will consist of reading from the script. The audition form can be found here.

Show Synopsis:
Felix Ungar, a neurotic, neat freak news writer, is thrown out by his wife, and moves in with his friend Oscar Madison, a slovenly sportswriter. Despite Oscar’s problems – careless spending, excessive gambling, a poorly kept house filled with spoiled food – he seems to enjoy life. Felix, however, seems utterly incapable of enjoying anything and only finds purpose in pointing out his own and other people’s mistakes and foibles. Even when he tries to do so in a gentle and constructive way, his corrections and suggestions prove extremely annoying to those around him, eventually breaking up the ritual weekly poker game with friends. Oscar, his closest friend, feels compelled to throw him out after only a brief time together, though he quickly realizes that Felix has had a positive effect on him.

Character Information:
Felix Ungar: A fastidious, hypochondriac news writer whose marriage is ending.

Oscar Madison:  A slovenly, recently divorced sportswriter and Felix’s best friend.

Murray: A NYPD policeman, one of Felix’s and Oscar’s poker buddies.

Speed: One of the poker buddies. Gruff and sarcastic, often picking on Vinnie and Murray.

Vinnie: One of the poker buddies. Vinnie is mild-mannered and henpecked, making him an easy target for Speed’s verbal barbs.

Roy: One of the poker buddies. Oscar’s accountant. Roy has a dry wit but is less acerbic than Speed.

Cecily Pigeon: One of Felix and Oscar’s giggly upstairs neighbors, a pair of English sisters. Cecily is a divorcée.

Gwendolyn Pigeon: One of Felix and Oscar’s giggly upstairs neighbors, a pair of English sisters. Gwendolyn a widow.

Performance Dates:
Performances will be October 4 – 6 and 11 – 13 2024.

For more information contact us
at info@westallisplayers.org or directorlady@att.net

Main Stage, Previous Shows

Show Announcement: Cancellation for 7/14

Due to the extreme heat predicted for Sunday, July 14, and lack of air conditioning at West Allis Central High School Auditorium, the West Allis Players are cancelling July 14th’s matinee performance of “Is Murder Tax-deductible?”

This is beyond our control and we deeply apologize for any inconvenience. We will be having performances July 12th and 13th and be back next weekend July 19 and 20 at 7:30 and at 2:00 pm July 21. Any tickets purchased for July 14 will be honored at any other performance. 

Thank you for your understanding and for your continued support of The West Allis Players.

Main Stage, Previous Shows

Is Murder Tax Deductible? Cast, Crew List & Ticket Information

By: Katherine Beeson
Directed By: Katherine Beeson

Performance Location:
Central Auditorium
84th & Lincoln Ave.
West Allis

The Cliff Notes:
The show is set in spring of 1951.  Brian Merring, the co-owner of the CPA firm, Dett and Merring, is supposedly found murdered in his office. Suspected of his murder are two disgruntled clients, an unhappy ex-wife, a sleazy landlord and a wise-cracking secretary. But his personal appointment book listed a mysterious late-night meeting – did his last visitor have a motive for murder?

The Cast List:

Character NameActor Name
Phillip BartholomewDavid Jirik
Bella MatthewsMolly Dawn Dewayne
Brian MerringLance Odom
Nathaniel DettScott Fudali
Carol MerringMaureen Lavin
Officer HenryLuis Castillo
Helen ConerMarilyn Daleiden
Jane/ChristineMaria Bunczak Schmidt
Harry PerkinsMarty Graffenius
Melvin TempleRandy Tranowski
Christopher (7/13)Jon Goltz

Production TeamTeam Member
DirectorKatherine Beeson
ProducersRay Nazer
Katherine Beeson
Stage ManagerJon Goltz
Set DesignerScott Fudali
Set ConstructionScott Fudali & Cast/Crew
Lighting DesignerLance Odom
Sound DesignerScott Fudali
Lighting TechnicianMary Beth Topf
Sound TechnicianMary Beth Topf
Props MastersKatherine Beeson
Box OfficeMike Jablonski
House ManagerRay Nazer



Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by visiting our online ticket site here. *Note, this will open in a new tab.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
Adult: $18.00
Seniors: $16.00
Children (12 and under): $12.00

For any additional show questions, feel free to drop us a note at info@westallisplayers.org. See you at the show!

Main Stage, Past Auditions, Previous Shows

Audition Notice: Is Murder Tax Deductible?

for West Allis Players’ production of:
Is Murder Tax Deductible?
by Katherine Beeson

We are so excited to present this vintage murder mystery/comedy for our summer show in 2024!  This show is written and directed by Katherine Beeson.  It was recently performed in Michigan, will be performed in Florida and a publisher in Oregon is considering publication; needless to say, Katherine is thrilled!!!

Audition Dates:
May 5 & 6, 6:30 pm
Central Auditorium
West Allis Central High School
85th and Lincoln Ave

Looking for 11 actors. 6m/5f

We are looking for energetic actors who want to have fun while delving into great characters and honing their craft. Hope to see you there! Preregistration is not needed! Photos may be taken.

Auditions will consist of reading from the script. The script can be downloaded from the link below if desired.  A short explanation of the show will begin each audition night.  (There will be no warm-up games.)  Reading will include Helen and the Detective, Bella and Carol and the Detective and Harry Perkins

Show Synopsis:
The show is set in spring of 1951.  Brian Merring, the co-owner of the CPA firm, Dett and Merring, is supposedly found murdered in his office. Suspected of his murder are two disgruntled clients, an unhappy ex-wife, a sleazy landlord and a wise-cracking secretary. But his personal appointment book listed a mysterious late-night meeting – did his last visitor have a motive for murder?

Character Information:
Brian Merring: 35+ accountant, lead role
Bella Matthews:  30+ Loyal company secretary, lead role
Detective Phillip Bartholemew: 45+, “Columboish” yet grizzly detective with an attitude, lead role
Carol Matthews: 35+ ex-wife with an agenda, supporting role
Harry Perkins: Any age; an “honest” businessman with shady background, supporting
Melvin Temple: Any age, disgruntled client with a dark side, supporting
Barry Silks: Any age, landlord of building, a bit slimy, supporting
Helen Conor: Any age, cleaning lady who does not miss much, supporting
Ben: Janitor – tiny role and may be eliminated
Jane: Another cleaning lady whose role may be expanded.
Another Secretary: Tiny but pivotal

Performances will be July 12 – 14 and 19 – 21 2024.

Script Download: Here
Audition Form: Here

For more information contact us
at info@westallisplayers.org or directorlady@att.net
 
Main Stage, Previous Shows

A Thank You Letter from The West Allis Players

With our run of Love Letters coming to a close, we thought it appropriate to write a little letter of our own….

Dear Community,

We want to thank you for coming out to see our production of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney!

It was a short rehearsal process, with only a month to prepare for a one weekend run, but our six actors were more than up to the task of bringing the fifty years of written communication between Andy Ladd and Melissa Gardener to life!

To Ben, Maria, Lance, Valentina, Paul, and Antoinette: Thank you for sharing your talents with not only the West Allis Players, but the audiences as well. We were glad to have you and we hope to see you again at future auditions!

To Sarah, our stage manager: Despite being behind the scenes, your contributions have NOT gone unnoticed! Thank you for all that you were able to do to keep everything running!

To Stacy Madson, our director: Thank you for taking a unique approach to this incredible story! From staging the show in the round to having more actors take on the role of Andy and Melissa, this was an incredible staging and we are fortunate that you choose to share your talents with us!

To the Audience: THANK YOU for coming to see Love Letters! We are so glad we could share this incredible story with so many of you!

We look forward to seeing you again at West Allis Central in July for Is Murder Tax Deductible?

Sincerely,
The West Allis Players